WELCOME BACK + BEHIND THE SCENES

I am really happy to announce that I will be back to blogging every week, which is something that has been weighing on me for some time now. It is really difficult to balance all aspects of a business when you are flowing with significantly sized projects, which is something that I aim to learn and get better at as we continue to grow and grow.

Having a business is a serious juggling act and even though I do have to say I am organised and a good at multi tasking, there are major flaws in my organisational skills and getting them sorted is something I want to re focus on now that I am winding down before my big trip.

That's right, have you heard? I am heading overseas for a month to travel and learn about all the new trends in August and I cannot wait. Lots of new and exciting experiences will broaden my mind for what is going to be another huge year for JDZ Designs. We are also in the process of re branding, so yes the website and the blog will change and evolve again. That is taking a lot more time then I had anticipated so it won't be ready for our 1st birthday, which yes is in fact tomorrow.


In the meantime to celebrate the beginning of the blog again, which I aim to have three posts per week going up and more, I have added some behind the scenes images of what we have been designing lately. A series of display suites for multi residential projects that will begin development in Hornsby.

Make sure to stay up to date with all things JDZ by signing up to our monthly newsletter by clicking here. 

I designed the kitchens and bathrooms, developed all renders, designed the display suites, picked all the finishes and managed it all to life.

THE BLOCK REVEALS AND DRAMA

I know I know, I have been missing in action! Promise I am back this week with lots of awesome posts! The first one is the review of The Block reveals last night. How about the drama behind the judging? What did you think? Do you think the Twins were judged harshly? It must be really tough for the judges because they are truly trying to be constructive but when all your hard work, sweat and tears goes into something it is very hard to hear criticism. I have to say though the super K's have done it again and they are unstoppable! Absolutely amazing finishing and materials AND what about that BATH?! Absolutely amazing! It definitely made me want to get in. I think now the couples have all really found their styles and are each demonstrating them very well in their rooms. My second favourite was Chantelle and Steve this week, especially with those amazing marble mosaics.

One thing that I can say is that all the couples are using a mixture of different materials and textures, especially timber with tiles. I would really like to see ( as much as I love the use of timber- they are all doing it) one of the teams think outside of that square now and use another material.

What was your favourite this week?

All images can be found from The Block website and all inspiration and products from

The Block Shop.

THE BLOCK IN REVIEW - BATHROOM REVEALS

Did you manage to tune in last night? I was actually a little disappointed to be completely honest. There was so much hype happening during the week that I just couldn't wait to see these amazing bathrooms and terraces... but actually, I was left feeling a little empty, which saddens me for this weeks room reveals. The judges were very harsh this week as well, but I do think despite their hashness they really do give very constructive feedback and really give them great advice and direction, so I am sure the teams will be taking all of it on board.

Every room did have an element of wow factor but it was very clear there wasn't too much consistency in keeping that loft style wow factor happening. In all honesty though, I cannot get over how they get all of it done in a week... that in itself is such a huge achievement so it becomes really difficult to be very critical of their work. My favourites this week for the boys, without a doubt, they did have the best bathroom/ laundry/ terrace combo and Chantelle and Steve, despite how tough their week was, they really pulled together an amazing result ... just not with the bra. Some of their finish touches were genius and I really do feel their terrace had a really great layout.

What did you all think of the rooms last night? Below are the pictures sourced from The Block Website and don't forget everything you see in these images can be sourced through The Block Shop... so get clicking!

Styling is done so well- love the hanging towels below the vanity... what do you think?

Recessed square for your shower needs - TICK
Tile choice - TICK

Exposed brick vs tile and mood lighting 

Vintage artwork on existing brick work! TICK! 

Tile choice and tap ware. 

The good old hexagon! Love the tile choice and combinations together with the timber.
I also like that the toilet roll is hidden.

Tap ware is super cool. 

This just looks like it would be a very very zen space and I really love that. The tile contrasts
very well against the exposed brick work. 

Mirror, vanity and basin are very cool together.

I love that Brad and Dale have added in curtains to their terrace doors. It really adds a real softness against
all the raw materials. Well done boys! 

WHO KNEW COW HIDE PATTERN COULD BE TAKEN TO A NEW LEVEL?

If you a blog fan like me, you will know that like many, one of my other most favourite interior blogs is Interior's Addict. Seeming as we showcased an interview with the Twins taking out the winning title for The Block 2013 it was only fitting I featured a product which the bathroom queens think is "hot" right now. Both twins have been guest posting on Interior's Addict over the last month and been giving some handy hints on renovating and design. Through the blog post on Interior's Addict, which you can find by clicking here, I was introduced to Parisi Bathware, which is selling the quirkiest bathroom vanities and toilets I have seen to date.  These cow inspired, four legged free standing and wall hung basins/toilets are really cool and such a great feature piece for a fun bathroom design. They are manufactured entirely in Italy by Art Cream and designed by Sandro Meneghello and Marco Paolelli of Meneghello Paolelli Associati.  Bathrooms are often underestimated especially if they are a small area, however, with so many different funky options out on the market, I think it is difficult not to be able to achieve a functional yet fun design. There are no way of getting around it, it is a very functional area of the home that is utilised for many things and should not be over looked when designed. It should be calming, practical and full of personality in my opinion... because honestly why make a space that has so much purpose boring? 

What I like about the four legged "Cow" range is it's slim lime profile that screams of classical and elegant design inspiration. It really demonstrates that inspiration is always all around us and can really assist in creating beautifully designed and functional pieces. To me Cow is a very clever design that has been interpreted through pattern and practicality in a very unique way. It is available in many different colours through selected Parisi Bathware stores. Parisi also has a great collection of bathware and door hardware, which I discovered whilst looking through their website. Cow is not the only funky bathroom range they have, they have some amazing free standing basins that can assist in creating a great bathroom for any given brief. 

All images sourced from the Parisi Blog, which you can find here as well as their website. 

If you want to see more of Alisa's tips on what is hot right now for your home, read more on Interior's Addict by clicking here. 

EXCITING GUEST POST FOR BARRY DUBOIS

I was very fortunate to get the opportunity to guest blog post for one of the great Interior Designers and Master Builders out there, Barry Du Bois. If you are familiar with his work you will know that he is also one of the presenters for the channel 10 show, The Living Room. I love The Living Room and have been following their show for quite sometime now and always loving all the renovations they complete. So it was such a great opportunity to be able to guest post, especially because I too believe just as Barry outlines on his site, that it is such an great experience and rewarding process to watch something you design yourself grow and get completed.

Have you ever had trouble picking the perfect tiles for your bathroom? It can be a daunting process and I always get asked where do I start? There are so many great tiles out on the market now that can allow you to make some amazing choices and create great atmosphere for your home. 

Now make sure you go and have a look! It is a great post and while you are there make sure to read more on what Barry has to share on his own blog which is filled with great information and inspiration.

Click HERE to read My Tips for Tiles & check out Barry's Website by clicking HERE. 

Di Lorenzo Cement Tiles. Find out more about Tiles by clicking here. 

SKY HIGH REVIEWS

It was such an exciting and anxious night in many households yesterday as we watched the five teams sell their amazing sky high apartments! I knew it though, Alisa & Lysandra just had the edge and it was really amazing that they are the first female team to ever win The Block. Totally inspirational don't you think? They really do have an amazing design skills and work very hard at achieving their goals and vision, which I think is great. Their apartment was of a very high standard and they are definitely the Kitchen & Bathroom queens, as I have to say the 30/30 bathroom was my absolute favourite!! Such an amazing combination of colours and a perfect example of making brown and black tones work. 

It is such an amazing achievement for all the couples taking home $205, 000 each off their reserves last night. I cannot even begin to image the nerves and emotions you would feel after such hard work, it would really be bitter sweet. The girls plan to put their new found skills to use by setting up their own Interior Design business, which I think is great. It is also great for young woman out there who aspire to achieve big things in their lives, it is beyond true, that if you put your mind to it and keep working hard, it will happen. None of this, woman don't know anything or can't work on site... not true at all! 

Here is a look through their entire apartment and at all the beautiful finishes and colour combinations they used. With good finishes and smart space planning you can achieve great things. 

Congratulations again to Alisa & Lysandra and I very much look forward to posting about them again in the future and staying up to date with what they are doing next.

All images apart from the 30/30 kitchen have been sourced from The Block Sky High website.
The 30/30 kitchen images were sourced from the ever so lovely Jen Bishop's blog The Interior Addict.

Stay turned for more Alisa  & Lysandra news!

Have a great Monday,

JDZ x